August Rosenbluth Imagine
I wrote an August/reader imagine from the movie Water for Elephants.
Summary: Y/N gets a job after meeting August.
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The train smelled of dust, dirt, and animal manure. I was fortunate enough to land on this train, though I had no clue what it was really, and where it was headed.
I was a runaway, after all.
“What are you doing here?” asked a voice in the corner.
I kept quiet, as I didn’t want to be kicked off.
“I asked you a question,” he said. When he came closer, I saw it was an old man.
“I don’t know,” I replied.
“You know you will get kicked out of the next stop if he finds you.”
“Who?”
“August. He runs this operation.”
I looked around. “Where is this train headed?”
The old man laughed. “You don’t know what this is, huh?”
“You’re right, I don’t.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “What is someone like you doing here? You’re not a bum, right?”
“I’m a runaway.”
The old man sighed. “That’s what August was afraid of. But maybe he could help you.”
“He’ll give me a job?” I asked, hopefully. “I could use the money.”
“Why don’t I take you to meet August, then? He can explain everything.”
My eyes widened. “Really? What if he kicks me off?”
“I don’t think he would do that.”
The man lead me to a compartment where August was staying. A tall, burly man was standing outside. “She’s here to meet August, she’s new,” the old man said to him.
The old man then turned to me. “Here you go. Good luck.”
I put my hands on his. “Wait, where are you going?” I didn’t want to be left alone now.
“You’re on your own, kid.”
“What’s your name?”
“Paul.” And the man disappeared from sight.
As I was about to open the door, I felt a strong hand on mine.
“Wait here,” said the tall, burly man. And the man opened the door.
“August, someone here to see you.”
I saw several men at a table. One of them turned. My, was handsome! His piercing eyes, swept back brown hair, and soft lips. I looked down, nervous beyond belief.
“Who are you?” the man asked.
“Lana.”
“I’m August.” He looked at the burly man. “You can leave now. And all of you can leave actually.”
All the men left the room immediately. As if his command was to be followed.
August regarded me, holding a cigar in his hands. He blows on it, the smoke willowing outwards in my direction.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“I’m looking for a job.”
“So you’re a stowaway?”
“A runaway.”
“Ah.” He stood up, and walked closer to me, looking me up and down. “What can you do?”
“Anything. Secretary work, administrative work.”
“Can you work with animals?”
“Sure.”
“W’ere talking lions, and giraffes.”
“Lions?” I asked, tense.
“YYou can help clean their cages.”
I scrhugued my brows. “What operation is this anyways?”
August leaned close in my ears, his body was inches from mine. “A circus! The best since the first greats. Have you heard of Benzini Brothers?”
I shook my head.
“Well you will learn soon. If you want to stay on this train, you will have to work for me.”
“Oh yes! Tgank you so much! I will do it! Anything!”
He cocked his head.
“Atta girl! You can go now. Tomorrow report to me and I will give you your first assignment.” And he looked up and down at me again. “And do something about your clothes.”
I nodded, and exited the compartnement. The burly man glared at me.
I went back to the area where I first got on. Paul was not there. Instead there was a dog.
I smiled.
The next day, I saw the train had stopped. The bright sun hit my face and the voices of men and women chattering filled the air. I saw what was happening. Everyone was setting up tents, loading animals into their cages.
I saw a man looking lnginly in the direction of the horse stable. “What is going on?” I asked.
“Setting up for our next show,” he said. I saw that he was tall, pale, and had hooded eyes.
“Wow. This is so cool!”
“Never seen so many animals before!”
“No! Are you working on an act? As a performer?”
I shook my head. “I have to find August. He’s going to give me a job today. Where is he, do you know?”
The man scowled. “I wouldn’t trust him to give you a job.” He smiled. “I’m Jacob. I take care of the animals.”
I smiled. “I’m Lana. Why do you say you don’t trust him?”
The man shrugged. “He’s not a good guy.” He pointed ahead. “Maybe you can help me with Rosie, the elephant. I’m washing her now.”
I clamped. Not a good guy? “But August told me to report to him.”
The man was about to say something, when his eyes turned to the side, and was fixated on it.
I turned to see what he was looking at. A blonde woman with short bob hair, leading the horses to the stables walked in front of us.
“I have to go, actually. I’ll show you the elephant later,” he said. And he ran off towards the woman.
I was confused. Why did Jacob say I couldn’t trust August?
As I thought some more about the conversation, I felt someone touch my shoulder.
“Talking to Jacob now?”
I turned.
It was August. And boy did he look good, in his white shirt and beige buttoned blazer.
I smiled. “August.” I straighted up. “What job do you have for me today?”
August laughed. “A very important one. Come with me.”
I followed him to a tent. I saw some performers practice jumping and doing somersaults.
“You will be in charge of the costumes for The Fat Lady act, the Clown act, and the trapeze act. Make sure everyone here is changed and ready by the time the show starts. Which is–” He looked down at his watch. “Tonight.”
I nodded. August then regarded me. “You look much better.” HIs hands grazed my cheeks. I felt my heart race.
And he walked away.
Later that day, as I checked in with everyone, I saw Jacob and the blonde woman talking, seriously amongst themselves. Paul was by my side.
“Who is that woman?” I asked.
“That’s Marlena, August’swife.”
“Wife?!” I was taken aback.
“I wouldn’t mess with her either. Though she and Jacob seem awfully close. If we all see it, how come August hasn’t? I bet he has.”
“At least I have a job now!”
“Wow! That’s great! You can stay with us then!”
“Thanks, Paul. I appreciate you helping me.”
“We all need to help one another. The Depression has gotten us all wrecked.”
I nodded sadly. “That’s why I’m here. I needed to find a future.”
Paul pointed towards the tent where the main show would be held. “And here it is.”
That evening, I checked everyone;s costumes. I was donned in a red dress. “Everyone is good to go,” I said to August.
“I’m glad. Thank you.” And he kissed my cheeks, a little too hard. Then he let go and embraced another woman approaching us.
Marlena.
“Marlena dear, meet Lana our new costume checker.”
Marelina smiled. She was pretty, I noted. A surge of jealousy came inside of me.
“Hi there. Glad that August is teaching you the ropes.”
And she walked away.
August then led me out. “What do you think of her?”
“She’s… nice. And pretty. I didn’t know you were married.” I covered my mouth. Why would I say something like that?
August hmmed. “Is that a problem?”
“No, no…”
“Good.” He brushed my hair from my face and leaned in and kissed my cheeks. I didn’t know what to do.
“Is it a problem if I do this?” he asked, his face still nuzzled in my neck.
“No…” I was trying hard not to enjoy it, but I was. And I didn’t want him to let go. Even though I knew he was married.
“My wife is always hanging out with Cornell kid. Maybe you can give me the happiness I need.”
I leaned back, and held his face in my hands. “I wish I could. First I need to find my own.”
August smiled. “And you will here.”
The performances began. People watched in awe as the trapeze performers swung from pole to pole. Then the animals appeared. First the lion act, then the giraffe act. Then the elephant act. I saw Marlena on top of the elephant waving to the crowd. And there was Jacob looking at her with awe and love.
After the show ended, everyone celebrated with drinks inside the train compartments. I joined Jacob and his friends briefly, before, Paul tapped my shoulder. “August wants to see you.”
I knocked on his compartment door.
“Come in!” he said, loudly.
I stood at the doorway.
August smiled, holding a cigar in hand. “Ah there you are. Thank you for being here. Come come.”
He gestured me to the table.
I sat next to him.
“The show was a success. Thanks to everyone. But especially you. I want you to stay.”
I smiled. “Thank you. And I assured I was staying, right? After you gave me the job of costumer handler?”
“Of course, but I wanted to see how you worked around here. It seems you are getting along with Paul and Jacob. Feel free to socialize with everyone. We are a family.” He blew his cigar.
I looked down. “You said you wanted to see me? Is there something you wanted?”
“Yes.” He stood up. And he handed me a package.
“What is this?”
“A dress for you. You should wear different outfits. Not the same one.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Wear it now. And let me see.”
I opened the curtain to the bed area, and closed it. Then I changed into the dress. It was a dazzling black halter dress with sequins.
“Would you look at that?” August said. “Let’s dance now.”
We danced to music he put on the gramophone.
“This is lovely,” he said, staring into my eyes. I felt myself leaning in. I couldn’t hide the attraction.
As his lips met mine, the compartment door suddenly burst open.
“Mr. Rosenbluth I have a question.” We turned. It was Jacob.
“Why don’t you knock next time, you prick!” August boomed. Jacob looked at me and him.
“Sorry, sorry.”
“Now leave!”
Jacob closed the door behind him and disappeared.
I stared at August. “What was that?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten so mad.” And he caresses my cheek and then kisses me.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how he spoke to Jacob. It was uncalled for.
“I’ll go now,” I said.
“No, stay.”
“It’s fine. Have a good night.” And I walked out the door.
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